Not Quite There Yet

Based on the reactions seen on social media tonight following Montreal's 1-0 win over Winnipeg to go up 2-0 in their best-of-seven series, you would think the series was over. Granted, it's not looking entirely great for the Jets in this situation, but Montreal is simply executing their game plan better than Winnipeg, and they're enjoying the fruits of their labour with a 2-0 series lead. With the collective city of Winnipeg and Jets fans elsewhere mashing the panic button, there are still five games to play in this series. If the Jets can figure how to go .800 in those games, all this hand-wringing will be forgotten.

Despite giving up a shorthanded marker to the Canadiens tonight in the loss, this game was rather unspectacular as both teams bogged down the middle, went glass-and-out when they were in trouble, and kept a lot to the outside. This works well for the Canadiens who like to attack off the rush, but Winnipeg seems to have no legs for the second-straight game which should worry the coaching staff.

I struggle with the defensive approach that the coaches chose to use against Montreal after we saw how successful Winnipeg was in the opening round against a team that likes to attack of the rush in Edmonton. With the Jets neutralizing Edmonton's speed and firepower as effectively as they did, it's hard to fathom why they changed their approach with Montreal coming to town. If ain't broke, don't fix it, and there was nothing seemingly broken with how the Jets played against Edmonton.

Obviously, missing key players such as DeMelo, Stastny, and Scheifele will affect who is deployed on what line, but I also struggled with the idea that Maurice and Dave Lowry broke up the second power-play unit that had clicked so well against Edmonton by moving Ehlers and Appleton to the top unit. Why not move Lowry and Vesalainen to the top unit and keep the second power-play team together who had done so well against Edmonton?

All of this is correctable, mind you, and we could see a different Jets team take the ice on Sunday at the Bell Centre in Montreal. Stastny likely will be back in the lineup to help bolster the top-six forwards, and that would mean Appleton would slide back down to the second power-play unit as Stastny takes his spot in the middle. He'll need to play a big game like he normally does, but Stastny's return should help the Jets.

For the record, I don't think Jordie Benn played terribly and likely could remain in the lineup, but it might be time to put some offence in the blue line by giving Ville Heinola a shot. Heinola can do anything that Benn did tonight, but he's far more gifted when carrying and moving the puck, something the Jets sorely need right now. If he jumps into the play, he'll be better than Benn there as well, so let's drop the conserative way of doing things and go for broke. The Jets can only afford one more loss, so now's the time to start playing with more offence.

The series isn't over yet, and the Jets still have a few cards up their sleeves that they can use. It's looking more and more like that time is near, if not now, so here's hoping we see a completely different Jets team than what we saw in Winnipeg in the opening two games.

The Jets are already 2-0 on the road in these playoffs. Let's hope they come home with a 4-0 record on the road by playing with energy, emotion, and a little desperation, turning this best-of-seven series into a best-of-three!

Until next time, keep your sticks on ice!